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EE Canberra B(I)58, T54, PR57, B66, B(I)12

The Canberra was the only modern jet design of UK origin to be license produced in America till the advent of the Harrier. First flown in 1949, it went into service two years later with the RAF. In 1957 the IAF, looking for a replacement for the B-24 Liberators as the main component of the bomber strike element, chose the Canberra. The IAF's first order for 65 B(I) Mk.58 bomber-interdictor, 7 TMk.54 and 8 PR Mk.57 was placed in 1957. Later another six B(I) 58, two T.54 and two PR 57s were acquired to take the total acquisitions to 90. The first unit to equip with this type being No.5 Tuskers Sqn at Agra. The TMk.54s equipped the Jet Bomber Conversion Squadron (JBCU). By June 1957, No.106 S.P.R. Sqn. was raised on the PR Mk.57s. By September 1958, Nos. 16 and 35 Sqns re-equipped with the Canberra. Taking into a total of five units that flew this aircraft.
The Canberra carried a crew of two sometimes three, consisting of Pilot and Navigator/Bomber-Aimer. It could carry a bomb load of 8000 lbs. which gave it the capability to carry in one sortie what would take 4 Mysteres to deliver. It's good performance led to the development of an intruder version with rockets and a four gun external pack. It could step in to do the ground attack fighters role, provided air superiority had been achieved.

A B(I)58 belonging to the IAF Contingent of ONUC, the UN Force in Congo. IF898 proudly carries the emblem of the "Tuskers" on the forward fuselage. The aircraft was hit by small arms fire during one of the sorties - with slight damage to ...

by Shiv Aroor - The Indian Air Force phased out its Canberra aircraft after fifty years of its glorious service. The phasing out ceremony was held at Air Force Station Agra and was presided over by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Mshl FH Major

An artist's rendition of a pair of Canberra B(I) Mk.58s attacking harbour installations at Karachi, December 1971. The Indian Air Force placed a heavy emphasis on interdiction during the 1971 war, and this proved a successful tactic.

Date: 09 Feb 06

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Unit: No.35 Squadron
Copyright: The Encyclopaedia of 20th Century Air Warfare, Chris Bishop

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